Systems of Influencing Shoppers at the First Moment of Truth in a Retail Establishment

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are systems and methods for influencing shoppers while they consider making purchasing decisions in a retail establishment. Specifically, the systems and methods for influencing shoppers may occur during a shopper&#39;s first moment of truth by transmitting through a communication network one or more influential messages to a handheld wireless electronic device or intelligent shopping cart, which is in close proximity to a shopper during a shopping trip throughout a retail establishment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application61/110,202 filed on Oct. 31, 2008, U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/353,817 filed on Jan. 14, 2009, U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/353,760 filed on Jan. 14,2009, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/408,581 filedon Mar. 20, 2009, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.12/058,705 filed on Mar. 29, 2008, U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/172,326 filed on Jul. 14, 2008, and U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/859,703 filed on Sep. 21,2007, which are herein incorporated by reference in full.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to influencing a shopper while she shopswithin or about a retail establishment. Specifically, influencing ashopper's behavior includes influencing a shopper's purchase decisionsat a shopper's first moment of truth by transmitting an influentialmessage through a wireless communications multi-network to a wirelessend device held in close proximity to said shopper during her shoppingtrip throughout the retail establishment.

BACKGROUND

Retailers are being squeezed. They are being squeezed by high commodityprices, high transportation costs, high labor costs, and the high costof advertising inside and outside of their retail centers. Retailersnow, more than ever, are having their profit margins decimated by eventsfar beyond their control. Importantly, retailers, which control theirown retail space, need to optimize use of that space in ways thatinclude keen shopper understanding. Such shopper understanding is costlyto obtain and is often incomplete. For example, the collection ofshopper buying habits is known to be acquired at the point of sale. Suchdata collection is widespread but fails to provide granular insight asto a shopper's behavior, namely the reasons a shopper chooses aparticular product for purchase. Today, other than following shoppers ina store with one or more persons skilled and trained at conducting focusgroup testing, the ability to gain shopper insights at the point ofdecision is lacking.

Grocery stores are among those hardest hit, since their profit marginsare often no more than one to two percent of a store's total sales.Currently, stores boost their profit margins by selling shelf spacewithin the store like real estate. To increase the price of shelf spacein stores and to encourage a greater variety of products within stores,stores need to provide vendors of wholesale products with a moreeffective and influential way of selling their products to the store'sshoppers. Stores need a way to offer vendors effective systems andmethods to influence shoppers at the first moment of truth, allowing thevendors and retail establishments to sell more products. Vendors willpay premiums to stores employing such systems and methods.

Shoppers, too, are feeling the pinch of ever escalating commodity priceslike crude oil, corn, and others. As a result, shoppers have becomeincreasingly cost conscious of their monthly food bills. Yet, today'smodern lifestyles do not provide shoppers the luxury of time to spendsearching and cutting out coupons or other saving mechanisms typicallyoffered by retailers. Therefore, shoppers need a way to make shoppingeasier, quicker and cheaper.

Currently, retailers attempt to influence shoppers before, during, andafter a shopper's product consideration by advertising products withinthe retail establishment over the in-store speakers, through elaboratedisplays, fixed print advertisements attached to shopping carts, weeklycircular ads provided to shoppers as they enter the store, andelectronic tags located on shelves displaying products. These methodsare inefficient and often result in higher costs to the store, which ispassed on to the customers.

Therefore, what is needed is a low cost, highly effective and highlyreliable in-store system for tracking, analyzing, and responding to ashopper's product decision-making. It is important that such systems andmethods serve to enhance, simplify, and expedite a shopper's experiencewith very little, if any, cost pass-through to shoppers and very little,if any, negative impact to a store's profit margin. This has beenachieved through one or more of the embodiments described below and willnow be explained with greater detail and particularity.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment of the system of influencing a shopper'sproduct selection during a shopper's shopping trip in a retailestablishment, the following are present: (1) a communicationsmulti-network positioned about said retail establishment; (2) a logicengine operatively connected to said communications multi-network, thelogic engine managing said communications multi-network; and (3) awireless end device positioned in close proximity to said shopper. Thewireless end device collects product related information from saidshopper, and is in tracked communication through said communicationsmulti-network with the logic engine. The logic engine delivers aninfluential message, intended to influence the shopper's productselection, to the shopper's wireless end device.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment there is a system of influencinga shopper's product selection at a first moment of truth in a retailestablishment that comprises several elements that will each beaddressed in turn.

The first element this execution includes a communications multi-networkpositioned about said retail establishment. Second, a logic engine isoperatively connected to said communications multi-network to organizeand manage the communication of data over the communicationsmulti-network. Third, products positioned about said retailestablishment for purchase by said shopper have specified productlocations of which the retail establishment is aware. Fourth, thisexecution includes a map of said retail establishment wherein atwo-dimensional X and Y grid is juxtaposed on top of said map of saidretail establishment to provide each element on said map of said retailestablishment with a set of X and Y positional coordinates. Fifth, aproduct location map is provided, wherein the logic engine is aware ofthe majority of the locations of the products positioned about retailestablishment. Sixth, a wireless end device is positioned in closeproximity to said shopper.

In said execution, the wireless end device is operatively connected to alocation tracking device which is tracked through said communicationsmulti-network by the logic engine to produce a shopper location data.Moreover, the wireless end device is operatively connected to a productscanning device. The shopper scans each product intended for purchasewith the product scanning device to create product selection data.Further, the wireless end device transmits the product selection data tothe logic engine which then compares the product selection data for asingle product selected by said shopper with said shopper location datacollected at the time said product selection data was collected. Thiscreates a shopper to product location ratio.

The logic engine examines the shopper to product location ratio, theproduct selection location data and the product selection data of saidshopper to determine if said shopper experienced a first moment oftruth. Then, the logic engine creates an influential message anddelivers it through said communications multi-network to the wirelessend device positioned in close proximity to said shopper. Finally, theinfluential message influences said shopper just before, at, or nearsaid first moment of truth.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment there is a method of influencinga shopper's product selection during a shopper's shopping trip in aretail establishment. Said method comprises a first step of positioninga communications multi-network about a retail establishment. Thiscommunications multi-network includes a mesh communication network and astar communication network. Next, a logic engine is provided inoperative connection with said communications multi-network. A wirelessend device is provided to said shopper to be held in close position tosaid shopper during said shopper's shopping trip in said retailestablishment. The wireless end device is in tracked communication withthe mesh communication network of said communications multi-network.Next, the wireless end device is electronically associated to saidcommunications multi-network. Then, the logic engine identifies aproduct on display in said retail establishment that is between aboutsix inches and about ten feet from the shopper. Next, the logic enginedetermines an influential message to transmit to the wireless end deviceheld in close proximity to said shopper and transmits the influentialmessage to the shopper's wireless end device. In the exemplaryembodiment, said shopper has the option to select that she does not wantto receive influential messages to be sent to her wireless end device.

Further embodiments of the present invention, as well as the structureand operation of these embodiments of the present invention, aredescribed in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the invention, the embodiments will be betterunderstood from the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying Figures, in which like reference numerals identify likeelements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a store having a preferredstore-based multi-network for communication;

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B provide a schematic view of an exemplary meshcommunication network useful in a store;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B provide a schematic view of an exemplary starcommunication network useful in a store;

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of a store providing an exemplarycommunications multi-network with one star communication network and onemesh communication network useful in a store;

FIG. 5 provides a flowchart of an embodiment of the system and methodfor calculating, storing and keeping track of the location of thepresumed location of a shopper within the store;

FIG. 6 provides a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of the systemand method for calculating, storing and keeping track of the location ofthe presumed location of a shopper within the store;

FIG. 7 provides a schematic frontal view of a wireless end device usedby a manager, an associate, or a shopper; and

FIG. 8 provides a schematic of an intelligent shopping cart used by ashopper in a store.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

In reference to the drawings, similar reference characters denotesimilar elements throughout all the drawings. The following is a list ofthe reference characters and associated element:

-   -   5 Store    -   6 Multi-network communication line    -   7 Shopper    -   8 Associate    -   9 Manager    -   10 Communications multi-network    -   11 Multi-network router    -   14 Mesh communication network    -   16 Star communication network    -   19 System communication line    -   20 Data communication radio    -   21 Multi-network organizer    -   23 Logic engine    -   25 Switch    -   27 Gateway server    -   29 Store server    -   31 Location tracking server    -   40 Wireless end device    -   42 Interface keys    -   44 Cart key    -   50 Intelligent shopping cart    -   52 Handle    -   54 Basket    -   55 Interior surface of shopping cart    -   56 Under carriage    -   58 Weighing device    -   60 Hook

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “first moment of truth” is the time of decision that a shoppertakes to first consider a product for purchase through to choosing ornot choosing the product considered. Additionally, key components of thefirst moment of truth include 1) the product considered for selection,2) if selected for purchase, the product selected, 3) the amount of timethat a shopper expends to consider a particular product for selection,4) a shopper's presumed location in a store in relation to a productlocation at consideration of the product for selection (e.g., inproduce, at a display, at an end-cap, etc.) and one, two, three, or fourof any one of the four key elements noted hereinabove. Typically, thefirst moment of truth ranges in time from between about two to aboutseven seconds. Persons of skill in the art will readily recognize thatthe first moment of truth may extend beyond the typical threshold andthat such extension remains a part of the definition herein for thefirst moment of truth.

The terms “intended purchase” and “intention of purchase” as used hereinmean a shopper's removal of product from a store shelf, kiosk, ordisplay in consideration of potential purchase as well products ashopper has include on her shopping list.

The term “tracked communication” as used herein means the communicationsmulti-network's ability to track wireless end devices when such devicesare placed in close proximity to a shopper.

The term “gateway server” as used herein means a server that isreceiving data from the communications multi-network of the storethrough a switch that is being routed by the gateway server to otherstore servers, such as an associate task managing server, a computerassisted ordering system computer, a point of sale server, locationtracking server, an ISP server, or other store computer.

The term “computational functions” as used herein means any and allmicroprocessor or microcontroller based computational tasks or routinescommonly known in the art to occur in a computer or computer-like devicethat comprises software, memory, and a processor.

The term “computational work” as used herein means those types of commoncomputations associated with known computer and/or server types ofdevices having complex microcontrollers and/or central processing units(CPUs). Such devices performing computational work typically have thecapacity to carry extensive software and execute any various types ofroutines and sub-routines therein.

The terms “influence” or “influencing” product selection mean thesystem's ability to make a shopper aware of the following: (1) potentialhealth risks; (2) less expensive alternative product(s); (3) betterrated alternative product(s); (4) complementary products to be added tosoon-to-be or chosen product(s); and/or (5) product information. Itshould be noted herein that preferred influencing causes a shopper toact or not act in a manner consistent with a shopper's best interests.

The term “wireless end device” as used herein means an electronicdevice, and ideally a handheld electronic device, which operateswirelessly through a communications multi-network and is used in closeproximity to the shopper as she travels throughout the retailestablishment. Each wireless end device operates as a blind nodethroughout the communication network.

The term “blind node” as used herein means those nodes of thecommunications multi-network that are would be unknown to the system butfor the tracking location subsystem.

In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless end device is coupled with a“product scanning device”. As used herein, the term “product scanningdevice” refers to an electronic device for scanning readable media. Aproduct scanning device includes but is not limited to imagers capableof taking photographs. A readable medium is a unique identifier for anitem or class of items within the retail establishment that is capableof being read and understood by an electronic device and in some cases ahuman. A bar code is an example of a readable medium. Bar codes includebut are not limited to a Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN), UPC,UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN13, EAN8, Databar (multiple versions), GS1-128, and anyother product identification code known to persons with skill in theart.

In some exemplary embodiments, a wireless end device is temporarilycoupled to an intelligent shopping cart, with which the wireless enddevice, held in close proximity to the shopper. In this embodiment, boththe wireless end device and the intelligent shopping cart are associatedwith and communicatively coupled with the communications multi-network.In alternative exemplary embodiments, the wireless end device ispermanently coupled to an intelligent shopping cart. The intelligentshopping cart is a shopping cart that is configured to receive and weighitems within it. The intelligent shopping cart is in trackedcommunication with the mesh communication network of the communicationsmulti-network.

Provided herein are systems and methods for implementing a variety ofways to influence a shopper's product selection when said shopper shopsthroughout a retail environment with a wireless end device. In anexemplary embodiment, a retail establishment captures actual, real timeshopper behavior data, the total sum of the shopper location data,product selection data and product selection timing data, to be used tocreate one or more influential messages. These various types data willbe defined in turn.

The term “shopper location data” as used herein means the estimatedlocation of the shopper as tracked through a location tracking deviceassociated with a wireless end device in relation to known productlocations. Shopper location data is collected as a product of thetracking location subsystem, in which the logic engine tracks thepresumed locations of a shopper as she travels with the wireless enddevice throughout the retail establishment. Because the retailestablishment through the location tracking subsystem in fact tracks thelocation of the location tracking device associated with the wirelessend device which is held in close proximity to shoppers, but in fact isnot tracking the humans, the shoppers' locations are presumed. Onoccasion, shoppers walk away from their assigned wireless end devicewhich is coupled with the location tracking device. On these occasions,the shopper location data is inaccurate. To be clear, shopper locationdata is accurate within a predetermined tolerated range of error.

The term “product selection data” as used herein means the informationcollected when a product scanning device scans the readable media ofproducts selected for purchase by the shopper. Said product selectiondata includes but is not limited to each product's identity (by nameand/or internal code) and price. In some instances, product selectiondata includes the identity of the product's manufacturer or supplier tothe store. In certain instances, the product selection data includes theweight or some similar unit of measurement (volume) of the productselected by the shopper for purchase. In exemplary embodiments, productselection data also includes a date and time stamp for each productselection datum collected by the product scanning device.

The term “product selection timing data” as used herein means the amountof time that the shopper spends during each time period of productselection, wherein said amount of time is tracked by the logic engine.The logic engine creates product selection timing data by beginning torecord the amount of time that passes from the moment the shopper beginsto slow her rate of travel throughout the store at the same time thather location matches up with a product location data through the momentthat the shopper scans the readable medium of one or more products.Product selection timing data is determined and tracked by either atiming device physically located within the wireless end device, timingsoftware programmed on the wireless end device, or a hardware orsoftware in association with the logic engine. In exemplary embodiments,said product selection timing data is deleted when a false first momentof truth is detected. More on the false first moment of truth detectionwill be addressed in greater detail below. The product selection timingdata is known to the system, since her approximate positions are knownas the shopper travels throughout the store, and this location trackingdata can be assessed on a moment by moment basis in actual real time.

In an exemplary embodiment, the retail establishment, specificallythrough the logic engine, is aware of the location of each product oreach group of products, known herein as product locations, because thestore employees have recorded the locations of each group of products ina product database as they stocked the items in the store. The locationsof the product groups are given coordinates on a product location map,just as nearly all other physical elements of the store are assignedcoordinates on a two-dimensional X and Y grid positioned over, orjuxtaposed on top of, the store map. In an exemplary embodiment, theretail establishment, through a logic engine, is aware of the preciselocation of over about eighty percent of the products on display in saidretail establishment. In alternative embodiments, the retailestablishment is aware of the majority of product locations, the preciselocations of the products on display in said retail establishment. Thus,with the knowledge of the presumed location of each wireless end devicewithin the retail establishment through shopper location data collectedin real-time, and with the knowledge of the product locations, theretail establishment can compare the shopper location data with theproduct locations to determine when a shopper is in close proximity tocertain products on display within the retail establishment.

In practice, the system herein detects shopper's engagement in productselection when it detects that her rate of speed is substantially slowerthan the shopper's average rate of speed and when the shopper's presumedlocation in the store is in front of a product display in the store.Part of this detection includes the comparison of the two relativespeeds between the time of product consideration for possible purchaseand the typical shopper's typical travel through a store. In exemplaryembodiments, the store has a detailed profile on the particular shopper,wherein the detailed profile includes the shopper's average rate ofspeed in the store, so that the logic engine's detection of a firstmoment of truth is highly accurate.

The term “actual, real time shopper behavior data” as used herein refersto as used herein means the total sum of a shopper's identificationdata, location tracking data, product scanning data and productselection timing data. Ideally, actual, real-time shopper behavior dataalso includes a shopper's personal and demographic profile.

The logic engine of the retail establishment, using said actual, realtime shopper behavior data, creates and transmits an influential messageto the wireless end device, which is in close proximity to said shopperas she shops within or about the retail establishment. In alternativeembodiments, the retail establishment only uses product selection timingdata and the shopper's location tracking data to create the influentialmessages that are then transmitted to the wireless end device in closeproximity to said shopper as she shops within or about the retailestablishment.

The logic engine creates “shopping trip timing data”, which is referredto herein as the entire amount of time each shopper spends on her entireshopping trip. If the shopper has not completed her shopping trip, thenthe shopping trip timing data is incomplete, but reflects the amount oftime said shopper has spent thus far on her current shopping trip. Tocreate said shopping trip timing data, said logic engine records theentire amount of time the shopper spends in the store from the firstmoment the shopper's wireless end device associates with the store'scommunications multi-network to the time the shopper checks out from thestore.

To be clear, the term “logic engine” as used herein means one or moreelectronic devices comprising a switch and a server. The logic engineincludes hardware such as one or more server-grade computers, but alsoincludes the ability to perform certain computational functions throughsoftware. Mechanisms known in the art other than software can be usedprovided that the mechanism allows the logic engine to go through logicfunctions to provide location calculations, evaluations, conduct timing,etc. The logic engine is additionally capable of performing thefunctions of the switch, gateway server, and store computers, such as anassociate task managing server, a computer assisted ordering systemcomputer, an in store processor (ISP server), the location trackingserver, commerce server, or other store computer. Further, the logicengine serves as the retail establishment's main database, including butnot limited to the product database and the shopper profile database.Functionally, the logic engine routes, organizes, manages, and storesdata received from other members of the communications multi-network. Inexemplary embodiments, the logic engine has the means of performing raytracing calculations and blind node location calculations. Though theembodiments described herein reference “a logic engine,” it iscontemplated that multiple logic engines can be used to perform the samefunction within the communications multi-network.

In the systems and methods disclosed herein, most, if not all, necessarywireless electronic communication between shoppers and the retailestablishment occurs through a communications multi-network when saidwireless electronic communication occurs within the retail establishmentitself, upon the retail establishment's premises, which can include theboundary controlled by the retail establishment (e.g., the store parkinglot). In embodiments where a communications multi-network is enabled,two or more communication networks work together, though not necessarilydependently, to track the location of the wireless end devices used byshoppers, to track the location of products, to track first moments oftruth and to be aware of the identities of products and shoppers withinor about the retail establishment. The communications multi-networkcomprises: (1) at least two mesh communication networks; (2) at leasttwo star communication networks; (3) at least one star communicationnetwork and at least one mesh communication network through which thelocation tracking device operates; or (4) two or more other types ofcommunication networks known to persons with skill in the art. Inselected embodiments, the communications multi-network is a singlenetwork architecturally, but functionally operates as two or moredifferently functioning networks. For example, there may be a singlenetwork that functions as a star communication network and a meshcommunication network at the same time.

An exemplary mesh communication network is a ZIGBEE communicationnetwork which operates within the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.4 communication protocol, but personwith skill in the art will appreciate alternative communicationprotocols that can be employed instead of the 802.15.4. The benefits ofusing ZIGBEE communication network as a mesh communication networkherein are several. ZIGBEE communication network is known for its lowpower consumption, low cost of implementation, high density of componentuse (e.g., the use of dozens, if not hundreds, of multi-network routersand/or wireless end devices for one mesh communication network), and itssimple communications protocol. ZIGBEE protocols are intended for use inwireless communication networks requiring low data rates and low powerconsumption. ZIGBEE communication network also provides an inexpensivecommunications multi-network that can be used for industrial control,embedded sensing, medical data collection, smoke and intruder warning,building automation, home automation and many others. The resultingnetwork uses very small amounts of power which can then allow individualdevices to run for up to one year or more using originally installedbatteries.

The ZIGBEE protocol operates in the industrial, scientific and medical(ISM) radio bands; i.e., 868 MHz in Europe, 915 MHz in the USA and 2.4GHz in most other jurisdictions worldwide. ZIGBEE technology is intendedto be simple, inexpensive and readily maintainable. In one execution,the most capable multi-network router within ZIGBEE communicationnetwork requires only about 10% of the software of a typical BLUETOOTHor other wireless internet node though a BLUETOOTH execution is alsocontemplated herein. In another execution, multi-network router onlycontains about 2% of the software of a typical BLUETOOTH or otherwireless internet node for use within ZIGBEE communication network 15thus greatly reducing technical complexity and potential maintenancecosts.

The star communication network of communications multi-network alsooperates within the IEEE 802.15.4 communication protocol, although itcould be operated on a different protocol, depending on the specificapplication contemplated. Moreover, each mesh communication networkincludes a mesh network organizer. In certain embodiments of thecommunications multi-network, the mesh network organizer is housed witha data communication radio in a device called the multi-networkorganizer, and one or more information routers.

The mesh network organizer, a radio for the mesh communication network,assigns addresses to all members of the mesh communication network. Themesh network organizer is the single point of entry to the meshcommunication network from the gateway server. The mesh networkorganizer routes information, also known as packets of data, to and frominformation routers and the central store computer. In one embodiment,the mesh network organizer routes location tracking data to and frominformation routers and the logic engine. In one embodiment, the meshnetwork organizer communicates with the logic engine through an Ethernetcable, while communicating wirelessly through the mesh communicationnetwork to the other devices attached to the mesh communication network.Other devices attached to the mesh communication network can includeinformation routers, wireless end devices, intelligent shopping carts,HVAC monitors and controls, security systems, traffic counters, andother electronic devices depending on the specific applicationcontemplated. Both communication between information routers, andcommunication between information routers and the mesh networkorganizer, can be wired or wireless. Functionally, the mesh networkorganizer routes location tracking data of wireless end devices of bothassociates and shoppers to managers. Because the mesh network organizertransmits data through a radio, it broadcasts or radiates out radiowaves to other members of the mesh communication network.

The information routers, also known as stationary reference nodes, areend nodes and fixed members of the mesh communication network. Eachstationary reference node operates through the mesh communicationnetwork to receive information from and send information to intelligentshopping carts, wireless end devices, the mesh network organizer, otherinformation routers, and other network devices communicatively coupledto the mesh communication network. Each information router transmitsReceived Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), X and Y coordinatesbelonging to the position of the information router and the address ofthe closest data communication radio to any requesting wireless enddevice. Each information router comprises one or more radios. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, the following: Texas Instruments Models2430 and 2431.

In those embodiments utilizing one or more star communication networks,the star communication network comprises data communication radios whichoperate as hub nodes or central nodes of each star communicationnetwork. The data communication radio routes data information, alsoknown as packets of data, to and from wireless end devices and the logicengine. In one embodiment, the data communication radio transmits datathrough a wire, for example, an Ethernet cable, when communicating withthe logic engine, while simultaneously communicating wirelessly throughthe star communication network to the wireless end devices, intelligentshopping carts, and/or other blind nodes and electrical devices attachedto the star communication network. Functionally, the data communicationradio routes data, such as influential messages from the logic engine tothe wireless end devices. The data communication radio broadcasts orradiates out radio waves to other members of the star communicationnetwork instead of communicating strictly in straight lines.

In exemplary embodiments of the communications multi-network thatinclude a mesh communication network and a star communication network,the information router of the mesh communication network and the datacommunication radio of the star communication network are housedtogether in a device herein referred to as a multi-network router. Eachsaid multi-network router houses at least three microcontroller unit(MCU) radios: one that functions as an information router for the meshcommunication network, and at least two that function as datacommunication radios for the star communication network. Two of thethree radios are low powered radios, including but not limited to TexasInstruments Models 2430 or 2431, while the third radio is a controllerwith greater power, such as the Texas Instruments models above the 243xseries. Functionally, multi-network routers communicate wirelessly orover wires to other multi-network routers. Ideally, multi-networkrouters communicate wirelessly to the wireless end devices, intelligentshopping carts, and other electrical devices used by shoppers,associates, and managers within the store. The multi-network routerscommunicate with the central computer, or logic engine, through themulti-network organizer.

In exemplary embodiments, the location tracking of shoppers is conductedover the mesh communication network of the communications multi-network,though it is possible to operate such a tracking function over the starcommunication network. The wireless end device communicates with thestationary radios of a communications multi-network (the informationrouters of the mesh communication network, the data communication radiosof the star communication network, or the multi-network router of thecommunications multi-network). The stationary radios transmit their Xand Y set of positional coordinates to the wireless end devicepositioned in close proximity to the shopper as she moves throughout theretail establishment. Furthermore, the signal strength of eachstationary radio is measured either by the wireless end device, thelogic engine, or another store server, such as the location trackingserver. The X and Y set of positional coordinates of the wireless enddevice is calculated based on the signal strength measured and the X andY set of positional coordinates of the nearest stationary routers. Thesubsystem of tracking the location of shoppers of certain embodiments ofthe invention are more fully described in U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12,353,817 filed on Jan. 14, 2009, and U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12,353,760 filed on Jan. 14,2009, which are hereby incorporated fully by reference.

In an exemplary embodiment, the logic engine stores location data onproducts and shoppers within a store. In an example subsystem oftracking the location of shoppers, the logic engine creates anhistorical progression, which is a map of the path a shopper takes whileshopping in a store. The logic engine matches the historical progressiontaken for a particular shopping trip with the list of items purchased bythe shopper on said particular shopping trip.

To be clear, any computation or storage completed by the logic enginecan be performed, in selected embodiments, by a specific server calledthe location tracking server. Thus, whenever a logic engine is used inthis context herein, the use of a location tracking server iscontemplated. The wireless end device continuously transmits its uniqueidentifier address to the logic engine, allowing the logic engine tocreate a shopper location data. As used above, the term “continuously”herein means a predetermined interval of time, for example, every fiveseconds or every ten seconds, as determined by the software engineer.Moreover, when said wireless end device is stationary for apredetermined period of time programmed in the software of the wirelessend device, the wireless end device automatically powers down or turnsoff and continuous transmission of the wireless end device's uniqueidentifier address ceases. Any period of time can be set to be thepredetermined period of time before the wireless end device powers down,such as ten minutes or thirty minutes. The benefit of the ability toautomatically power down is reduced energy consumption. Furthermore, inexemplary embodiments, when the wireless end device returns to a stateof motion from its stationary position, the wireless end deviceautomatically powers on to restore the continuous transmission andtracking features.

In exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods herein, the retailestablishment, specifically the logic engine, detects the first momentof truth of each shopper before an influential message is delivered tosaid wireless end device of said shopper. In some embodiments, theretail establishment assumes that the shopper is experiencing a firstmoment of truth when the shopper's location tracking device pauses for apredetermined period of time, e.g. three seconds, in front of productlocations. In other embodiments, the retail establishment assumes thatthe shopper is experiencing a first moment of truth when said shopper'slocation tracking device slows to a predetermined pace within said storewhen within a predetermined ratio from the products on display. In stillother embodiments, the retail establishment assumes that the shopper isexperiencing a first moment of truth based on a comparison of saidshopper's speed and location within said retail establishment (orshopper location data) with said shopper's shopping list and proximityof said products on display in said retail establishment that are onsaid shopper's shopping list.

In some embodiments, a corroboration method is used to determine if anassumed first moment of truth is in fact a false moment of truth. To beclear, the logic engine can detect a false first moment of truth whensaid shopper seems to be considering a product for purchase, but in factis not considering a product for selection. For instance, with theknowledge of shopper's location tracking data signifying to said logicengine that said shopper is in the meat department and is slowing inspeed, the software on the logic engine triggers a possible first momentof truth, which signals that an influential messages should bedelivered. However, with additional information, such as knowledge of a“clean up” in the shopper's location (in this example, the meatdepartment), the logic engine determines that the shopper is likelyexperiencing a false first moment of truth. When the logic enginedetermines that the assumed first moment of truth is false, the logicengine does not send said influential message to said shopper.

Corroboration of the first moment of truth can be accomplished in anumber of ways. In some embodiments, software on the logic engineevaluates the shopper location data in relationship to said productselection data to reduce, or even eliminate inconsistent information andprevent the transmission of influential messages at a false first momentof truth. In other embodiments, said logic engine evaluates shopperlocation data in relationship to said shopping trip timing data toidentify a false first moment of truth. In another embodiment, saidlogic engine evaluates shopper location data in relationship to saidshopping trip timing data and said shopper's velocity of travel todetermine if a false first moment of truth is present. After a firstmoment of truth is detected, and in certain embodiments is corroborated,the software on the logic engine is programmed to automatically transmitone or more influential messages, which are often product and locationspecific, to influence the shopper's behavior.

Before the influential message is transmitted, it is created by thelogic engine. When the shopper's unique, personal identity is known, theinfluential message can be tailored to the interests and past shoppingbehavior of the particular shopper. Since each time that a wireless enddevice is in close proximity of the store, the wireless end deviceassociates with the store's communications multi-network by sending asignal to the logic engine, the retail establishment is aware of theshopper's unique, personal identity anytime the shopper shops with herwireless end device.

The identification of the shopper occurs in various ways, usually at thebeginning of each said shopping trip when the shopper begins using thewireless end device. In some embodiments, if said wireless end device istemporarily assigned to said shopper at the beginning of said shoppingtrip, the shopper's unique, personal identity is made known to theretail establishment at the moment the shopper scans the readable mediumof an exemplary shopper's card on a product scanning device associatedwith her wireless end device.

In other embodiments, if said shopper enters said store with a wirelessend device previously assigned to her on a permanent or semi-permanentbasis, or even if said wireless end device was purchased by her, theshopper's unique, personal identity is made known to the retailestablishment at the moment the wireless end device associates with saidcommunications multi-network of said retail establishment. Where thewireless end device has been previously assigned to said shopper on apermanent or semi-permanent basis, the shopper previously scanned thereadable medium of her shopper's card on the product scanning deviceassociated with her wireless end device, thereby allowing said shopper'sunique, personal identity to be identified upon initial association withthe retail establishment.

An actual physical shopper's card is not necessary to identify saidshopper's unique, personal identity. If shopper's cards are not utilizedby said store, then said shopper's unique, personal identity is madeknown to the retail environment the moment said shopper voluntarilyprovides her unique, personal identity information to said retailestablishment and her unique, personal identity information is enteredinto said logic engine. The logic engine then opens an electronic filefor said shopper that is associated with the unique identifying addressof the wireless end device to be used by said shopper. The entry ofunique, personal identity information into the logic engine can occurdirectly or indirectly. If it occurs indirectly, then said associate orsaid manager enters said unique, personal identity information into acomputer that is communicatively coupled to said communicationsmulti-network that then transmits the unique, personal identityinformation through said communications multi-network to said logicengine.

In an exemplary embodiment, an intelligent shopping cart associates withthe communications multi-network by transmitting a signal to the logicengine when it is in motion. Then, the intelligent shopping cartautomatically shuts down its communication with members of thecommunications multi-network when it is left in the same location for acertain period of time, for example ten or fifteen minutes. Thus, theintelligent shopping cart is not associated with, and is not in trackedcommunication with, said logic engine when said intelligent shoppingcart has not been in motion for a predetermined length of time. As withthe wireless end device, the automatic shut down conserves energy whenthe intelligent shopping cart is not in use. Software loaded onto eitherthe intelligent shopping cart or the logic engine permits a tolerancerange to be set, allowing the store to customize the amount of time theintelligent shopping cart can be stationary before the power is reduced.In an alternative embodiment, the intelligent shopping cart is incontinuous or near continuous communication with the communicationsmulti-network, so long as it remains in close proximity to thecommunications multi-network.

With knowledge of the shopper's general preferences based on a categoryof shoppers of which the individual shopper is a member, and with theknowledge of the shopper's precise real-time location, the logic enginetransmits one or more influential messages tailored to (1) the presumedor general preferences of the shopper, and (2) the precise real-timelocation of the shopper in the store. For example, Mariah, a 29-year-oldprofessional African American woman who is a brand loyal shopper, beginsshopping in the store with a wireless end device, which was assigned toher two years ago by the store. Mariah scanned the readable medium ofher preferred shopper card two years ago when she received the wirelessend device. When Mariah begins shopping in the store with her wirelessend device, the wireless end device associates with the communicationsmulti-network of the store, making the store aware of her presence inthe store. The retail establishment places Mariah in a category ofshoppers that share a similar shopping behavior trait, such as brandloyalty. In some embodiments, the retail establishment, through thelogic engines, transmits one or more influential messages, which aretailored to the category of shoppers, to all members of the category ofshoppers upon their respective entries into the retail establishment. Inexemplary embodiments, the logic engine transmits influential messagestailored to the category of shoppers to all members of the category ofshoppers when a first moment of truth is detected.

In other embodiments, the retail establishment categorizes shoppersbased on demographics rather than past shopping behavior. In still otherexemplary embodiments, said retail establishments categorize shoppersbased on both previously exhibited shopper behavior and demographics. Insuch an embodiment, the retail establishment will tailor an influentialmessage for all professional, African American women in the age bracket25 to 35, who are brand loyal. In this case, Mariah will receive thesame influential messages as all other known members of the category ofshoppers that includes professional, African American women in the agebracket 25 to 35, who are brand loyal.

Influential messages include suggestions that the shopper purchase adifferent size or quantity of a certain brand of detergent on which theretail establishment makes a higher profit, for example. Other potentialmessages to influence shoppers include suggestions to purchaseadditional products that other members of the category of like shoppersfrequently purchase. For instance, while Mariah is in the aisledisplaying laundry detergents, the retail establishment, aware of herunique, personal identity information and her location within the store,transmits to her wireless end device influential messages suggestingthat she purchase a fabric softener or a wrinkle releasing agent.

In other embodiments, each shopper receives influential messagesspecifically tailored to her unique, personal identity information atthe first moment of truth. This influential message can be in additionto or in place of influential messages tailored to the category ofshoppers of which the shopper is a member. For instance, the store knowsthat Steve, a 59-year-old Caucasian, spends $100 every week at the storeand when he purchases laundry detergent, he only purchases laundrydetergents being marketed under the trademark TIDE® (3389568; TheProcter and Gamble Company; laundry detergent). With this knowledge, thestore may offer Steve a special offer, like five dollars off thepurchase price, to purchase a laundry detergent marketed under thetrademark CHEER® (2825038, The Procter and Gamble Company; laundrydetergent) in order to entice him to switch brands. Steve benefitsbecause he receives a discount on his detergent. The retailestablishment also benefits in a number of ways including satisfyingcertain sales goals to keep or attract certain vendors, and potentiallyhigher profit margins. For example, the retail establishment may have ahigher profit on CHEER® than it does on TIDE®, thus when Steve buysCHEER® and potentially switches brands, the retail establishmentexperiences higher profit margins.

The retail establishment learns the shopper's personal preferences in avariety of ways. For example, the retail establishment can have theshopper fill out surveys about store conditions, preferred products, andsuggestions on how to improve the shopping experience. Surveys can befilled out either on paper or electronically in the retail establishmentor at home. The retail establishment can also learn the shopper'spersonal preferences from reviewing each shopper's shopping history withthe retail establishment. Retail establishments additionally have accessto shopper generated shopping lists, since the system provides forshopping lists to be created and shared with retail establishments in anumber of ways. Shoppers can scan products' readable media as theshoppers use up products in their homes using product scanning devicesassociated with wireless end devices that they have taken home.Alternatively, said shopping list can be created electronically by saidshopper on a retail establishment owned or monitored website that thencommunicates said shopping list to the logic engine of the retailestablishment in which said shopper shops.

In exemplary embodiments, the logic engine is aware of a variety ofinformation that includes, but is not limited to the following: (1)demographic information collected from shoppers when they obtainpreferred shopping cards; (2) the purchasing history associated with anexemplary shopping cards; (3) historical progression; (4) informationcollected from shopper surveys; and (5) shopping lists and/or inventorylists created by shoppers at non-store locations (such as their homes)on their personal computers or wireless end device. A significant amountof shopper information known by the retail establishment is created bythe shopper at non-store locations. Much of this shopper information iscontributed by the shopper while she is at home through the wireless enddevice assigned to the shopper on a permanent or semi-permanent basis,or through the Internet. Retail establishments with access to thisplethora of shopper information created at non-store locations use saidshopper information to influence shoppers by tailoring influentialmessages or by selecting the appropriate pre-made influential messagesto use on shoppers during their next shopping trip.

It is advantageous to both retail establishments and shoppers for retailestablishments to have access to shoppers' shopping lists, becauseretail establishments can suggest additional items to be purchased thateither (1) complement the shopper's shopping list to provide a completemenu, or (2) complete a recipe. For instance, in the event the shopperhas on her shopping list hotdogs and buns, the retail establishmenttransmits an influential message, suggesting that the shopper considerpurchasing ketchup, mustard, and relish, to the wireless end devicesused by the shopper when the shopper is in the condiments aisle.Alternatively, the retail establishment can suggest the shopper use arecipe that can be created with the purchase of just a few additionalingredients. For example, when the retail establishment is aware thatthe shopper has chips and salsa on his shopping list, the retailestablishment can transmit an influential message suggesting that theshopper additionally purchase cheese to make nachos.

With knowledge of the shopper's inventory list in combination with theknowledge that the shopper is in a certain department of the retailestablishment, the retail establishment can send the shopper aninfluential message just before or just as the shopper starts to leavethat department. For example, the retail establishment can send areminder to the shopper to not forget certain products for sale in thatparticular department that are not on said shopper's inventory list.

Just as shoppers vary from one to another, so too does the content ofthe influential messages. The content of the influential messagesincludes, but is not limited to the following: the form of recipesuggestions; suggested entries for the shopper's shopping list;e-coupons; targeted pricing of an item, which is similar to a coupon yetmay better reflect the supply and demand relationship between the retailenvironment and its customer; alerts when a shopper has passed a producton her shopping list; discounts; product reviews; competitive productoffers; enhanced saving opportunities (e.g., a potential system alertcould be the following: “We see that you have selected five two litersof soft drinks, purchase five more and receive $2.00 off”); co-brandingopportunities (e.g., “We see that you have selected COCA COLA®, a markregistered to The Coca-Cola Company for soft drinks, why not try someLAY'S®, a mark registered to Recot, Inc. for potato crisps, along withyour COCA COLA®?”); responses to historical progression of productselection; general product warnings (e.g., “This product contains iron”or “This is a dairy product.”); product warnings tailored to shopperprofile (e.g., a shopper's profile includes allergen data that someonein the shopper's family is allergic to peanuts, thus the influentialmessage may be “The product you just selected was produced in a factorythat handles peanuts.”); combination product warnings (e.g., “We seethat you purchased a prescription medication last week that may conflictwith the prescription medication that you have ordered for pick-uptoday, please consult your physician before taking two prescriptionmedications.”); health awareness alerts that provide specific productinformation such as sodium content or fat content; product and storesurveys; internal maps on how to find products within the retailestablishment; and other influential messages known in the art.Furthermore, influential messages can be varied in the type of mediaemployed, such as text messages, electronic photographs, illustrations,videos, audio, hyperlinks, and interactive messages.

In addition to these methods of tailoring the influential messages tothe shopper's product consideration, the logic engine tailors theinfluential messages using information that includes but is not limitedto the following: (1) the time and date the shopper is in the retailestablishment; (2) the shopper's general preferences already known tothe retail establishment; (3) the shopper's personal preferences alreadyknown to the retail establishment; (4) the shopper's previous purchases;(5) the shopper's real time intended purchases known to the storethrough organization by the logic engine of product scanning data andshopper location data; (6) the shopper's shopping list; (7) theshopper's home inventory list; (8) the actual time period the shopperspends considering purchasing a particular product or class of products;(9) the amount of money that the shopper chooses to spend on any one orseveral items according to the shopper's inputted budget for one or moreitems; (10) the promotional prices (advertised or otherwise) currentlyin the retail establishment; (11) the shopper's previously stagedelectronic coupons or previously scanned paper coupons; (12) theshopper's requests for “health alerts” (ex: allergens) in her profile;and (13) the shopper's request for alerts to marked down individualpackages due to close expiration dates for categories that they intendto purchase. The above list is by no means exhaustive and additions tothe list can be readily made.

Ideally, the system provides influential messages that then influencethe shopper's product selection and the shopper follows through with thepurchase of products. Such influencing includes, but is not limited to,adding more products to those chosen or considered, exchanging a productchosen or considered for one suggested by the system, and/or removing achosen product due to some known allergic or chemical reaction by theshopper or members of a shopper's household. Each of the reactions canbe measured by the logic engines when the actual, real-time shopperbehavior data is known. However, even if the influential messages do notinfluence the shopper's product selection, the retail establishment isaware of the shopper's decision not to follow the suggestion of theretail establishment and can retain that information specific to theshopper for later analysis and review of the reasons as why the productwas not selected. The retail establishment can analyze which types ofinfluential messages are most effective and even what displays in theretail establishment influenced or did not influence the shopper tochoose or not choose products. This information provides retailestablishments with the opportunity to tailor future influentialmessages to be superior to all other types of the influential messages.

In contrast, there are embodiments wherein the influential messages arenot tailored to the individual by the logic engine, but instead areselected from a variety of already prepared influential messages. Inthis event, the system selects the most influential of the alreadyprepared influential messages, based upon the actual, real-time shopperbehavior data. Other embodiments employ a mixture of both tailored andpre-made influential messages.

In an exemplary embodiment, shoppers “opt in” to the types ofinfluential messages they want to receive. For instance, some shopperswill want health awareness alerts, while others would rather receivemore information on product pricing, saving opportunities, promotions,etc. Examples of the types of influential messages are described in turnbelow.

As briefly discussed above, in some embodiments, the retailestablishment influences shopper behavior by suggesting the shopper makecertain recipes. When the retail establishment suggests the purchase ofcertain items to complete a recipe, the retail establishment is aware ofcertain shopper information such as the shopper's shopping list, theshopper's home inventory list, or the shopper's already scanned selecteditems for purchase during the shopping trip. The term “recipe” as usedherein includes projects, which requires items to be purchased andassembled in some fashion to achieve the desired result, much like arecipe. For instance, when a hardware store is aware that the shopper ispurchasing house paint and brushes, in an exemplary embodiment, thehardware store suggests in an influential message that the shopperpurchase sea sponges and glaze, so that the shopper can complete a fauxpainting project.

In another embodiment, the influential message provides shoppers thebest routes to travel while shopping in the retail establishment, usingthe shopper's known shopping list. The retail establishment will provideeither maps or directions to find all of the items on the shopper'sshopping list. Exemplary embodiments provide shoppers with shoppingroutes tailored to real-time events within the retail establishment.

These embodiments allow stores to utilize the location, timing, andpersonal information of each shopper to tailor influential messages tothe product the shopper is considering purchasing. Furthermore, theinfluential messages are transmitted through the communicationsmulti-network to the wireless end device at the time the shopper isactually considering selecting the product for purchase. This could beat, during, or just after a first moment of truth.

FIG. 1 provides a schematic plan view of retail establishment 5. Inparticular, a top view of a section of retail establishment 5 in whichshopper 7, associate 8, and manager 9 are positioned and associatedwithin communications multi-network 10 for wireless communicationbetween members of the communications multi-network 10 is shown.Communications multi-network 10 is positioned within and about retailestablishment 5 and the store's premises (e.g., the store's parking lotand other outer areas—not shown).

The communications multi-network 10 in FIG. 1 comprises a meshcommunication network 14 and a star communication network 16. However,the make-up of the communications multi-network varies depending on thespecific application contemplated. Preferably, the communicationsmulti-network 10 includes at least one mesh communication network and atleast one star communication network. Through the wireless end device,the shopper 7 communicates data, including machine readable messages andlocation information to the logic engine through the communicationsmulti-network. In exemplary embodiments, human readable messages andmachine readable information, such as barcodes, are communicated throughthe star communication network 16 of the communications multi-network 10while the operator's X and Y positional coordinates are tracked throughthe mesh communication network 14 of the communications multi-network10.

Shopper 7, associate 8, and manager 9 are each connected throughmulti-network communication lines 6 and multi-network router 11 to bothmesh communication network 14 and star communication network 16 ofcommunications multi-network 10. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in whichmulti-network routers 11 operate for both the mesh communication network14 and the star communication network 16. Each multi-network router 11contains the components for transmission of data through meshcommunication network 14 and star communication network 16, allowing itto operate as a radio for mesh communication network 14 or starcommunication network 16.

In selected embodiments, each multi-network router 11 is placed in alocation that is out of reach of persons shopping or working in retailestablishment 5. For example, in FIG. 1, each multi-network router 11 isclose to or in the ceiling of retail establishment 5. Preferably, thoughnot necessarily, each multi-network router 11 houses at least threeradios: a first radio functioning as an information router of meshcommunication network 14, and at least two more radios functioning as adata communication radio of the star communication network 16. Inexemplary embodiments, in addition to the three radios, eachmulti-network router 11 comprises a computer component complete with itsown IEEE address; the computer component allows the informationcollected by any of the radios to be transmitted over cable wires, shownherein as system communication lines 19, to the logic engine 23.

In the embodiments utilizing a communications multi-network 10, eachmulti-network router 11 contains all necessary components to operate forboth mesh communication network 14 and star communication network 16.Multi-network router 11 comprises at least three microcontroller units(MCUs). One MCU is used for mesh communication network 14 and at leasttwo are used for star communication network 16. Each MCU is preferably asystem-on-a-chip type of MCU and comprises a control unit, one or moreregisters, an amount of ROM, an amount of RAM and an arithmetic logicunit (ALU).

The Texas Instruments CC2431 MCU is an exemplary MCU for use as one ofthe radios for the mesh communication network 14 and for one of the atleast two radios used on the star communication network 16, because ofits ability to readily transmit data through mesh communication network14 and star communication network 16 at prescribed data transmissionrates. Also, the Texas Instruments CC2431 MCU can provide locationdetection functions within communications multi-network 10 herein.Alternatively, the Texas Instruments CC2430 MCU is an exemplary MCU foruse as one of the radios for mesh communication network 14 and for oneof two radios used on star communication network 16. The third radio ofthe at least three radios of multi-network router 11 should be a morepowerful radio than those of the Texas Instruments CC243x series.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-network organizer 21 operates as both ahub for the star communication network 16 and as a mesh networkorganizer for the mesh communication network 14. While the radios forthe mesh communication network 14 and the star communication network 16are shown herein as housed in the same device, they could be housed inseparate units depending on the specific application contemplated. Everymesh communication network 14 needs a mesh network organizer. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mesh network organizer is referred to asmulti-network organizer 21 because it is housed with a datacommunication radio. In other embodiments, the mesh network organizercould be in a standalone unit without a data communication radio.

Referring to FIG. 1, system communication lines 19 are shown connectingeach multi-network router 11 to the logic engine 23. Systemcommunication lines 19 can be either wireless or wired, and are depictedas solid lines to indicate that they are wired in FIGS. 1, 2B, 3A, 3B,and 4. Ethernet cable is an exemplary wired connection device betweeneach multi-network router 11 and logic engine 23. The systemcommunication lines 19 shown in the Figures are merely exemplary, assystem communication lines 19 connect from every multi-network router 11and multi-network organizer 21 to logic engine 23. In exemplaryembodiments, the system communication lines 19 connect multi-networkrouters 11 to one another.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are multi-network communication lines 6 thatcorrespond to zones of transmission between multi-network routers 11within mesh communication network 14. In practice, multi-networkcommunication lines 6, though represented as straight lines for purposesof illustration, are not necessarily straight lines, but more accuratelyare circular zones of transmission emanating from each multi-networkrouter 11. Through such zones of each multi-network router 11, data istransmitted and received.

In practice, the data transmission rate within mesh communicationnetwork 14 is preferably configured to be at least 125 kilobytes persecond (KB/s). The data transmission rate within star communicationnetwork 16 is preferably configured to be at least 250 KB/s. Theinterface between shopper 7 and communications multi-network 10 iswireless and is accessed by shopper 7 through either or both of thefollowing: a wireless end device 40 (as shown in FIG. 7), and anintelligent shopping cart 50 (as shown in FIG. 8) over multi-networkcommunication lines 6.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a schematic representation of an exemplarymesh communication network 14 is provided. Multiple multi-networkrouters 11 are in wireless communication with members of the meshcommunication network 14 via multi-network communication lines 6.Members of the mesh communication network 14 can include wireless enddevices 40, intelligent shopping carts 50, and a multi-network organizer21 which operates as the mesh network organizer (shown housed with adata communication radio). Multi-network communication lines 6 depictedas dashed lines in order to show the direction and existence of wirelesslines of communication between the information routers that make up meshcommunication network 14 and other components (for example, the wirelessend devices 40 and multi-network organizer 21). Mesh communicationnetwork 14 provides many benefits including low power consumption, lowcost of operation, efficient communication within a defined space andlow cost for maintenance.

As shown in FIG. 2A, each multi-network router 11 has the ability tocommunicate with at least some of the other multi-network routers 11 inthe mesh communication network 14. In some embodiments, eachmulti-network router 11 is able to communicate with every othermulti-network router 11, the multi-network organizer 21, or wireless enddevice 40 associated with the mesh communication network 14.

Mesh communication network 14 is a local area network (LAN) that employsone of two connection arrangements. One arrangement is a full meshtopology wherein all of the multi-network routers 11 are wirelesslyconnected to one another and can receive and transmit information toevery other multi-network router 11 within the mesh. Another exemplaryarrangement is a partial mesh topology. In a partial mesh topology, eachmulti-network router 11 is wirelessly connected to some, but not all, ofthe multi-network routers 11 available within the mesh. Meshcommunication network 14 shown in FIG. 2A is the full mesh topologytype.

In some embodiments, the data transferred through mesh communicationnetwork 14 is limited to small packets of data, such as X and Ypositional coordinates between shoppers 7, associates 8, and managers 9.Preferably, the location tracking subsystem is conducted over the meshcommunication network 14. In this embodiment, the functionality of thelocation tracking subsystem uses the information router component of themulti-network router 11. In this embodiment, information routers do notnecessarily communicate with each other, but instead provide X and Ypositional coordinates to each blind node, which could be a wireless enddevice 40 or an intelligent shopping cart 50. In selected exemplaryembodiments, the wireless end device 40 calculates its own X and Yposition through triangulation software loaded onto the wireless enddevice 40. The wireless end devices 40 receive signals from at leastthree of the information routers, shown in FIG. 2A as comprised withinthe multi-network router 11, in order to triangulate the position of thewireless end device 40 or the intelligent shopping cart 50. Themulti-network routers 11 are each aware of their X and Y positionalcoordinates because the logic engine provides each multi-network routerwith their X and Y positional coordinates. Multi-network routers 11 areconnected to the mesh network organizer, shown as multi-networkorganizer 21, which is connected to the logic engine 23 (shown in FIGS.1, 2B, and 3A) through an Ethernet cable (system communication line 19in FIGS. 1, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 4).

In some embodiments, mesh communication network 14 is a ZIGBEEcommunication network. ZIGBEE is the name of a specification for a suiteof high level communication protocols using small, low power digitalradios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal areanetworks (WPANs). ZIGBEE is targeted at radio frequency (RF)applications that require a low data rate, long battery life and securenetworking.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, in its simplest form, mesh communicationnetwork 14 includes one or more multi-network routers 11, at least onemulti-network organizer 21, and wireless end devices 40. Themulti-network organizer 21 is a device that routes data through one ormore of multi-network routers 11 within mesh communication network 14.The multi-network organizer 21 is connected to the logic engine 23through a system communications line 19. The mesh communication network14 is either of the beacon or the non-beacon type. In beaconingnetworks, power use is further minimized because multi-network router 11only needs to be active while a beacon is being transmitted. Powerconsumption in non-beacon type networks can be higher since at leastsome of multi-network routers 11 within communications multi-network 10are always active, while some others may be inactive. It is possible,though, to have all or substantially all multi-network routers 11 withinthe communications multi-network 10 continuously active.

In the embodiments where the mesh communication network 14 is abeaconing network, the multi-network routers 11 (and more specifically,the radios for the mesh communication network called the informationrouters) automatically broadcast multiple times per second their X and Ypositional coordinates out to the blind nodes. Blind nodes are selectedfrom the group consisting of wireless end devices 40 and intelligentshopping carts 50. In this embodiment, blind nodes do not have totransmit signals to the multi-network routers 11 asking for theircoordinates.

Other embodiments employ a non-beacon type mesh communication network14. In a non-beacon enabled network (i.e., those whose beacon order is15), multi-network routers 11 have data receivers that are preferablycontinuously active. In these embodiments, when asked by wireless enddevices 40, mesh network organizer transmits a signal through the one ormore multi-network routers 111 back to the blind nodes. Multi-networkorganizer 21 manages multi-network routers 11, causes association ofwireless end devices 40 to the mesh communication network 14, storesinformation received from multi-network routers 11, and routes messagesbetween multi-network routers 11 and wireless end devices 40 orintelligent shopping carts as 50. The use of a non-beacon type of meshcommunication network 14 additionally allows for heterogeneous networksof multiple device types in which some devices receive continuously,while others only transmit when an external stimulus is detected. Oneexample of an element within a heterogeneous network is a lamp having awireless light switch. The node at the lamp receives constantly, sinceit is connected to the lamp's power supply while a battery-powered lightswitch remains “asleep” or inactive until the light switch is thrown.The light switch then activates, sends a command to the lamp, receivesan acknowledgment, and returns to a state of inactivation. In a beacontype network, multi-network routers 11 within mesh communication network14 transmit periodic beacons to confirm their presence to other networknodes. Such nodes sleep between beacons, thus lowering their duty cycleand extending their battery life.

Logic engine 23 or, in alternative embodiments, location tracking server31, provides several important functions within mesh communicationnetwork 14. Important functions provided by the logic engine 23 arethose of computation, information storage, organization, response,network notification, data prioritization, event prioritization, raytracing calculations, creation of historical progressions, creation ofheat maps, and others. The logic engine organizes product selection datawith shopper location data collected within a predetermined period oftime from the wireless end device to create product selection locationdata. The logic engine also organizes all product selection locationdata from a single shopping trip to create collective product selectionlocation data, storing each shopper's collective product selectionlocation data in a shopper's electronic profile. This shopper'selectronic profile enables the retail establishment to further analyzetrends, using the logic engine to create historical progressions for theshopper, either individually or by category. At least one server-gradecomputer or server is preferred. A server is particularly useful incommunications multi-network 10 herein because of its largecomputational and storage capacities.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a schematic representation of thefunctionality of an exemplary mesh communication network 14 is provided.The mesh communication network 14 transfers data between the members ofthe mesh communication network 14 such as multi-network routers 11 andwireless end devices 40 to the logic engine 23 through meshcommunication lines 6. FIG. 2B shows that there is a dataflow betweenthe logic engine 23 and the wireless end devices 40 and between thelogic engine 23 and the intelligent shopping carts 50.

FIG. 3A provides an exemplary representation of a star communicationnetwork 16. In FIG. 3A, data communication radios (housed withmulti-network routers 11 in FIGS. 3A and 3B), communicate directly withlogic engine 23 along system communication lines 19. Systemcommunication lines 19 are preferably wired lines that connect themulti-network routers 11 to logic engine 23. For the purposes ofexplaining the functionality of the star communication network 16,multi-network communication lines 6 are wireless lines of communicationbetween multi-network routers 11 and wireless end devices 40, and arethus depicted as dashed lines. Preferred system communication lines 19are capable of transferring with high quality and at high speeds digitaltransmission of voice and other large amounts of data.

A star communication network 16 is particularly useful and important tocommunications multi-network 10. With its data transmission rate of 250KB/s or more, star communication network 16 carries data streams thatrequire higher data transmission rates for speed and efficiency. Voicedata, pictures, video, and financial transaction data, for example, aredata types best suited for transmission at a higher (e.g., 250 KB/s orgreater) transmission rate. While these types of information or data canbe transmitted through mesh communication network 14, a starcommunication network 16, either in place of or in addition to meshcommunication network 14, is preferred.

An exemplary star communication network 16 herein operates within theIEEE 802 communications protocol. IEEE 802 refers to a family of IEEEstandards dealing with local area networks and metropolitan areanetworks. More specifically, the IEEE 802 standards are restricted tonetworks carrying variable-size data packets. In contrast, in cell-basednetworks, data is transmitted in short, uniformly sized units calledcells for use within, for example, cell phones. Though preferred, it isacknowledged that star communication network 16 operates within multiplecommunication protocols including, but not limited to, BLUETOOTH®(telecommunications equipment for a protocol of IEEE 802.15.1 and802.15.2 registered to Bluetooth Sig, Inc.), WIMEDIA® (specificationsfor the connection of wireless multimedia devices, commonly known as theIEEE 802.15.3 protocol, which is registered to WiMedia AllianceCorporation), Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b), Wi-Fi5 (IEEE 802.11a/HL2), and otherwireless protocols like preferred protocol 802.15.4 as notedhereinabove.

In an exemplary embodiment, within IEEE 802, star communication network16 transmits data within the IEEE 802.15.4 communications protocol. TheIEEE 802.15.4 protocol controls transmissions sent through wirelesspersonal area networks (WPANs). WPANs can include the use of BLUETOOTHtechnology. The IEEE 802.15.4 communications protocol has a low datarate (e.g., about 125 KB/s) and also allows for a long battery life(e.g., battery life for months or even years) in multi-network routers11 and is known for its very low technical complexity and low powerrequirements.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, an exemplary representation of a starcommunication network 16 is provided. In this embodiment, allsubstantive communication with the wireless end devices 40 and theintelligent shopping carts 50 is conducted through star communicationlines (shown here as multi-network communication lines 6), the datacommunication radio housed in the multi-network router 11, switch 25 andgateway server 27, and appropriate store server, such as the locationtracking server 31. Communication between multi-network router 11 andswitch 25 takes place through system communication lines 19, which areeither wired or wireless, depending on the specific applicationcontemplated. In some embodiments of the system, system communicationlines 19 are wired while multi-network communication lines 6 arewireless. In alternative embodiments, switch 25, gateway server 27, andstore servers 29 and the location tracking server 31 are replaced withlogic engine 23 (not shown in FIG. 3B).

FIG. 4 provides an exemplary representation of a communicationsmulti-network 10. In FIG. 4, multi-network routers 11 provide a signalto wireless end device 40. In an exemplary embodiment, multi-networkrouters 11 provide wireless end device 40 with the X and Y positionalcoordinates of multi-network information routers 11. Wireless end device40 or intelligent shopping cart 50 either performs the calculationsnecessary to provide its own location in X and Y positional coordinates,or sends a signal out through star communication network 16 to thelocation tracking server 31. The location tracking server 31 performsthe ray tracing and location tracking calculations in some embodiments.In exemplary embodiments, the logic engine 23 performs the locationtracking calculations. Under any of the above described embodiments, thelocation of each wireless end device 40 and intelligent shopping cart 50is known to the store through the data exchanged between wireless enddevice 40 and the radio of the information router of the multi-networkrouter 11 of mesh communication network 14.

In embodiments where wireless end device 40 is a reduced function deviceand either the logic engine 23 or the location tracking server 31performs the location tracking computations, the radio of theinformation router in the nearest multi-network router 11 provides thewireless end device 40 with its own X and Y positional coordinates. Theradio of the information router in the multi-network router 11 nearestthe wireless end device 40 receives the X and Y positional coordinatesof wireless end device 40 from the multi-network organizer 21, whichreceives the X and Y positional coordinates from the location trackingserver 31. In any event, the location of wireless end device 40 on themap of retail establishment 5 (shown in FIG. 1) is known to bothwireless end device 40 and either the location tracking server 31, orthe logic engine 23, through the mesh communication network 14 ofcommunications multi-network 10.

In an exemplary embodiment, with the location of each wireless enddevice 40 known, wireless end device 40 held by the shopper 7 sendsinformation to and receives information from store associates 8 andmanagers 9 through star communication network 16. In certainembodiments, the location of each intelligent shopping cart 50 is known,and the intelligent shopping cart 50 used by the shopper 7 sendsinformation to and receives information from associates 8, managers 9,or logic engine 23 through star communication network 16. In someembodiments, all communication between shopper 7 and at least one of thegroup consisting of associates 8, managers 9, and an intelligentshopping cart 50 must be conducted through multi-network router 11,switch 25 and gateway server 27, and the appropriate store server, suchas the location tracking server 31.

In FIG. 5, a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the system andmethod for influencing shopper 7 at the first moment of truth isprovided. Generally, the shopper is influenced by messages transmittedto shopper 7's wireless end device 40 through the communicationsmulti-network 10 in retail establishment 5. In Step 100 of FIG. 5, theshopper 7 begins shopping with the wireless end device 40. In mostembodiments, when the shopper 7 begins shopping with the wireless enddevice 40, the shopper 7 scans her preferred shopper card when thewireless end device 40 is assigned to the shopper 7, making retailestablishment 5 immediately aware of shopper 7's identity. In Step 105,wireless end device 40, which is held in close proximity to shopper 7 asshe shops, continuously calculates and transmits locationing data tologic engine 23. Logic engine 23 receives locationing data from shopper7's wireless end device 40. In embodiments where wireless end device 40is a reduced function device, the coordinates of the closestmulti-network routers 11 will be transmitted from wireless end device 40to logic engine 23 where the locationing data will be calculated bylogic engine 23.

Step 110 shows that logic engine 23 continuously tracks the location ofwireless end device 40 held in close proximity to shopper 7. The use ofthe word “continuously” as used herein is defined as the incrementdetermined by the software operator. For instance, the interval of timecan be, but is not limited to, every 3 seconds, every 5 seconds, orevery 10 seconds. The interval will vary, depending on the specificapplication contemplated.

Then, as shown in Step 115, shopper 7 slows or stops traveling throughthe store in front of products and experiences a first moment of truth.Logic engine 23 is programmed with software that recognizes when shopper7 is experiencing a first moment of truth when shopper's speed slows toa certain speed or when the shopper 7 stops in front of a display for acertain period of time, e.g. three seconds. At Step 120, when shopper 7slows or stops her travel through the retail establishment 5 in front ofproducts, logic engine 23 tracks the amount of time the shopper 7 slowsor stops, the location of the slowing or stopping, and the identity ofthe products selected by shopper (if any are selected at all) during theperiod of the slowing or the stopping of travel throughout retailestablishment 5. In Step 125, logic engine 23 evaluates the informationcollected during step 120 to determine whether shopper 7 is experiencinga first moment of truth. To determine a first moment of truth, the logicengine 23 compares the tracked location of the shopper 7 (also known asshopper location data) to the product location map to produce a shopperto product location ratio. When the product to location ratio is underabout five feet, the logic engine 23 begins timing the amount of timethat the shopper 7 is in close proximity to the product. When shopper 7selects the product and scans it with her wireless scanning device,creating product selection data, the logic engine 23 stops timing usingthe difference between the time of day when the shopper 7 selected theproduct and the first moment the product location ratio was under aboutfive feet. The logic engine 23 evaluates the intended product purchaseof the shopper, the shopper to product location ratio, and the productselection timing data to produce an evaluation data. The logic enginedetermines if the evaluation data indicates a first moment of truth.

In Step 130, if it is determined that the shopper 7 is experiencing afirst moment of truth based upon the evaluation data, then logic engine23 transmits to shopper 7, via her wireless end device 40, aninfluential message based on the first moment of truth evaluation. InStep 135, shopper 7 receives the influential message on her wireless enddevice 40. Ideally, while experiencing a first moment of truth, shopper7 reads the influential message on her wireless end device 40 as shownin Step 140. Non-ideally, shopper 7 can read the one or more influentialmessages on this wireless end device 40 when not experiencing a firstmoment of truth.

At this point in time, in Step 145, shopper 7 makes a decision either tofollow or not to follow the leading of the influential message. Forinstance, when the influential message recommends a substitute productfor the one scanned by shopper, at Step 145 shopper 7 decides topurchase the item the influential message recommended. In otherembodiments, the shopper 7 is influenced by the influential message topurchase a different quantity of products than shopper 7 originallycontemplated at her first moment of truth. In still other embodiments,the shopper 7 decides to purchase a different product than the productselected and scanned, returning the original product to the shelf andscanning the suggested product. After shopper's decision in Step 145,shopper 7 either continues to shop (returning to Step 100) or proceedsto check out the items already selected (Step 150).

FIG. 6 provides a flowchart of one embodiment of the system and methodfor influencing shopper 7 at the first moment of truth by transmittingmessages to shopper 7's intelligent shopping cart 50 through acommunications multi-network 10 in retail establishment 5. In Step 200of FIG. 6, shopper 7 begins shopping with intelligent shopping cart 50.In most embodiments, when shopper 7 begins shopping with intelligentshopping cart 50, shopper 7 scans her preferred shopper card when theintelligent shopping cart 50 (and incorporated wireless end device) isassigned to shopper 7, making retail establishment 5 immediately awareof shopper 7's identity. In Step 205, intelligent shopping cart 50,which is in close proximity to shopper 7 as she shops, continuouslycalculates and transmits locationing data to logic engine 23. Logicengine 23 receives locationing data from shopper 7's intelligentshopping cart 50. In embodiments where intelligent shopping cart 50includes a wireless end device which is a reduced function device, thecoordinates of the closest multi-network routers 11 will be transmittedfrom intelligent shopping cart 50 to logic engine 23 where thelocationing data will be calculated by logic engine 23.

Step 210 shows that logic engine 23 continuously tracks the location ofintelligent shopping cart 50 in close proximity to shopper 7. The use ofthe word “continuously” as used herein is defined as the incrementdetermined by the software operator. For instance, the interval of timecan be, but is not limited to, every 3 seconds, every 5 seconds, orevery 10 seconds. The interval can vary depending on the specificapplication contemplated.

Then, as shown in Step 215, shopper 7 slows or stops traveling throughthe store in front of products and experiences a first moment of truth.Logic engine 23 is programmed with software that recognizes when shopper7 is experiencing a first moment of truth when shopper's speed slows toa certain speed or when a shopper stops in front of a display for acertain period of time, e.g. three seconds. At Step 220, when shopper 7slows or stops in front of products, logic engine 23 tracks the amountof time of slowing or stopping, the location of the slowing or stopping,and the identity of the products selected by shopper (if any areselected at all) during the period of the slowing or the stopping oftravel throughout retail establishment 5. In Step 225, logic engine 23evaluates the information collected during step 220 to determine whethershopper 7 is experiencing a first moment of truth. To determine a firstmoment of truth, the logic engine 23 compares the shopper location datato the product location map to produce a shopper to product locationratio. When the product to location ratio is under about five feet, thelogic engine 23 begins timing the amount of time that the shopper 7 isin close proximity to the product. When shopper 7 selects the productand scans it with her wireless scanning device, thereby creating productselection data, the logic engine 23 stops timing using the differencebetween the time of day when the shopper 7 selected the product and thefirst moment the product location ratio was under about five feet. Thelogic engine 23 evaluates the intended product purchase of the shopper,the shopper to product location ratio, and the product selection timingdata to produce an evaluation data. The logic engine determines whetherthe evaluation data indicates a first moment of truth.

In Step 230, if it is determined that the shopper 7 is experiencing afirst moment of truth based on the evaluation data, logic engine 23transmits to shopper 7, via her intelligent shopping cart 50, aninfluential message based on the first moment of truth evaluation. InStep 235, shopper 7 receives the influential message on her intelligentshopping cart 50. Ideally, while experiencing a first moment of truth,shopper 7 reads the influential message on her intelligent shopping cart50 as shown in Step 240. Non-ideally, shopper 7 reads one or moreinfluential messages on this intelligent shopping cart 50 when notexperiencing a first moment of truth.

At this point in time, in Step 245, shopper 7 makes a decision either tofollow or not to follow the leading of the influential message. Forinstance, when the influential message recommends a substitute productfor the one scanned by shopper, at Step 245 shopper 7 decides topurchase the item the influential message recommended. In otherembodiments, the shopper 7 is influenced by the influential message topurchase a different quantity of products than shopper 7 originallycontemplated at her first moment of truth. In still other embodiments,the shopper 7 decides to purchase a different product than the productselected and scanned, returning the original product to the shelf andscanning the suggested product. After shopper's decision in Step 245,shopper 7 either continues to shop (returning to Step 200) or proceedsto check out the items already selected (Step 250).

FIG. 7 provides a frontal view of a wireless end device 40 with multipleinterface keys 42. Wireless end devices 40 are used by at least one ofthe following: a manager, a store associate, and a shopper. In someembodiments, a location tracking device is housed within each wirelessend device 40. Wireless end device 40 is battery powered and ispreferably re-chargeable. It has the ability to seek out and associateitself (i.e. attach itself wirelessly) to an existing communicationsmulti-network 10 herein. Wireless end device 40 herein is either areduced function device or a full function device, but a reducedfunction device is preferred for its lower power consumption. In someembodiments, wireless end device 40 includes a product scanning device(not shown) and an imager useful for scanning items by shopper 7 forplacement of the scanned items into a shopping cart (intelligent 50 ornon-intelligent; not shown) and for taking photographs.

The wireless end device 40 serves substantially as a device thatreceives information from and transmits information to communicationsmulti-network 10. In FIG. 7, wireless end device 40 is shown includinginterface keys 42. While each multiple interface key 42 denotes afunction that occurs, most of the multiple interface keys 42 actuallyprovide a requested transmission to or from other devices attached tothe communications multi-network 10 (not shown) rather than requiringthe wireless end device 40 to perform computational functions. In someembodiments, wireless end device 40 transmits information to otherdevices attached to the multi-network 10, such as the logic engine 23 orother devices capable of performing computational functions, forcomputation. Computational functions include, but are not limited to,ray tracing calculations, price calculations, and budget calculations.Therefore, the interface keys 42 shown on wireless end device 40 in FIG.7 are not meant to imply the actuation of a function within wireless enddevice 40 other than the receipt or transmission of information fromcommunications multi-network 10 and whatever key types are used on thewireless end device 40 result in very little, or even no, computation,because logic engine 23 or location tracking server 31 performs the raytracing calculations. By this use of interface keys 42, necessaryhardware for computation functions like the calculating of its X and Ypositional coordinates on the store grid is alleviated.

For example, wireless end device 40 does not itself substantiallycompute or keep a running total of the cost of items previously scannedand placed into intelligent shopping cart 50. Instead, cart key 44, whendepressed, signals to communications multi-network 10 that wireless enddevice 40 is ready to scan an item that is to be placed into shoppingcart 50 after the item has been scanned. Information on the item scannedis transmitted wirelessly through communications multi-network 10 andultimately routed to logic engine 23 or location tracking server 31 forstorage and/or further processing.

It should be noted herein that FIG. 7 is exemplary and the types,configurations, and orientation of the buttons shown form no part of theinvention. A myriad of key types, sizes, shapes, configurations,symbols, graphics, etc. can be created to fit within the scope andpurpose of wireless end device 40 depending on the specific applicationcontemplated.

When wireless end device 40 is configured to do little or nocomputation, wireless end device 40 is extremely cost effective to buildand put into use. Since lower priced components are used (i.e., highspeed processor and memory) wireless end device 40 is subject to lesstheft. Furthermore, even if theft of the wireless end device 40 doesoccur, its replacement cost is much less than the per-unit costs of morecomplex devices. When wireless end device 40 lacks a high speedprocessor and memory, it also lacks the significant amount of softwareof other devices that depend upon high speed processors and largesophisticated memory types. Additionally, because of the low per-unitcost of wireless end device 40, more units can be deployed to a greaternumber of shoppers of retail establishment 5. Wireless end device 40 canalso be used in multiple grocery stores, so long as each store possessesa compatible communications multi-network 10 usable by wireless enddevice 40.

In other embodiments, wireless end device 40 performs certain complexcomputational functions, at least partially, within its circuitry, i.e.,within its microcontrollers. For example, it performs the ray tracingcalculations to determine its own location on the two dimensional gridsuperimposed on the map of the store. In this embodiment, it ispreferred, but not necessary, that logic engine 23 or the appropriatestore server, such as location tracking server 31, acts as a back-up toa full function wireless end device 40 in the case of a computational orother type of outage in wireless end device 40.

Wireless end device 40, whether or not it has computationalcapabilities, comprises at least one MCU. The MCU herein is preferably asystem-on-a-chip type of MCU. The MCU herein comprises a control unit,one or more registers, an amount of read only memory (ROM), an amount ofrandom access memory (RAM), and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). Inembodiments where the wireless end device 40 does not perform all of thecomputational work, the ALU will be accessed very little, if at all, forany calculations within wireless end device 40. In embodiments ofwireless end device 40 where the device itself performs the majority ofthe computational work, the ALU will be accessed, and therefore used,for computations.

In some embodiments, wireless end device 40 includes at least two MCUs.One MCU receives and transmits information from wireless end device 40to the mesh communication network 14. Another MCU receives and transmitsinformation from wireless end device 40 to the star communicationnetwork 16. The Texas Instruments CC2431 MCU is preferred herein becauseof its ability to transmit data for both mesh communication network 14and star communication network 16. Also, the CC2431 MCU provideslocation detection functions within communications multi-network 10herein. Such location detection is an important, preferred functionbecause it allows any device so equipped (whether wireless end devices40, intelligent shopping cart 50, or multi-network routers 11) to befound and located anywhere within communications multi-network 10.

The technical specifications for the CC2431 MCU are the following: 32MHz single-cycle low power 8051 MCU; 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 compliant RFtransceiver; 128 KB in-system programmable flash; ultra low powerrequirements; ZIGBEE protocol stack (Z-STACK) operable; and 8 KbyteSRAM, 4 Kbyte with data retention in all power modes. The CC2431 is atrue system-on-chip (SOC) for wireless sensor networking ZIGBEE/IEEE802.15.4 solutions. The CC2431 includes a location detection hardwaremodule that can be used to locate either wireless end device 40 or anintelligent shopping cart 50 within communications multi-network 10.Based on this, the location engine calculates an estimate of an unknownwireless end device's 40 or intelligent shopping cart's 50 positionwithin communications multi-network 10.

In addition to the MCUs used for information flow and management alongmesh communication network 14 and star communication network 16, atleast one governing MCU is employed within wireless end device 40. Thisgoverning MCU governs, evaluates, sends messages to, receivesinformation from, and manages the other MCUs configured to send andreceive information along mesh communication network 14 and starcommunication network 16. The MSP430 built by Texas Instruments is apreferred model for a governing MCU. The MSP430 is a microcontrollerbuilt around a 16-bit processor that is designed for low cost and lowpower consumption embedded applications. It is particularly well suitedfor wireless radio frequency (RF) or battery powered applications. Thecurrent draw in idle mode can be less than 1 microampere. Its topprocessor speed is 16 MHz. It can be throttled back for lower powerconsumption. The MSP430 does not have an external memory bus. It istherefore limited to on-chip memory and preferably comprises up to 128KB flash memory and 10 KB RAM.

In embodiments in which communications multi-network 10 containsmultiple star communication networks 16, an exemplary configuration ofthe internal hardware of wireless end device 40 includes two MCUsresponsible for communication with communications multi-network 10 and agoverning MCU that governs all other needful functions within wirelessend device 40. In this configuration, one of the two MCUs is alwaysassociated with and wirelessly connected to communications multi-network10. The other MCU, when it is not wirelessly connected to communicationsmulti-network 10, searches for the strongest radio signal transmitted bycommunications multi-network 10 to connect to the communicationsmulti-network 10. If a signal sensed by the un-associated MCU becomesstronger than a signal transmitted by the currently associated starcommunication network 16, the un-associated MCU will convert toassociated status and the formerly associated MCU will convert toun-associated status and then begin to seek the strongest radio signalavailable from communications multi-network 10. Such process ofassociation and un-association between the MCUs occurs continually asshopper 7 moves about a store and moves from one star communicationnetwork 16 to another star communication network 16 located withinretail establishment 5.

In alternative embodiments in which communications multi-network 10comprises multiple star communication networks 16 and no meshcommunication networks 14, two MCUs (preferably Texas InstrumentsCC2431) responsible for simultaneous receipt and transmission ofinformation from wireless end device 40 are both associated withcommunications multi-network 10. Such a dual association enables thetransmission of larger packets of data from or to wireless end device40. These larger packets of data may include voice data, video, andother data types whose wireless transmission (i.e., between wireless enddevice 40 and communications multi-network 10) is best facilitated by a256 KB/s transmission rate or higher.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary intelligent shopping cart 50 usedby a shopper 7 in retail establishment 5 is provided. In appearance,intelligent shopping cart 50 looks like most known conventional shoppingcarts. The intelligent shopping cart 50 has a handle 52, a basket 54attached to the handle 52, and an under carriage 56 positioned belowbasket 54. However, intelligent shopping cart 50 is “intelligent”because it is in communication with retail establishment 5 through thecommunications multi-network 10. When intelligent shopping cart 50 isequipped with MCUs (preferably Texas Instruments CC2431), it isresponsible for receipt and transmission of information with logicengine 23 through communications multi-network 10. Furthermore, whenintelligent shopping cart 50 either houses an imager and a screen, or ispaired with a wireless end device 40 that houses an imager and a screen,shopper 7 can read influential messages received from logic engine 23.In some embodiments, intelligent shopping cart 50 includes a trackingdevice so that retail establishment 5 can track the location ofintelligent shopping cart 50 throughout retail establishment 5.

As shown in FIG. 8, intelligent shopping cart 50 also includes weighingdevices 58 positioned within the interior surface 55 of the basket 54.In some embodiments, weighing devices 58 are in the form of hooks 60.Each weighing device 50, or hook 60, is connected to a strain gauge (notshown) which measures the deformation or strain of an object upon whichit is placed. The strain gauge measures the deformation of the hook 60when an item is placed thereon causing a measurable deformation. Themeasurable deformation is a measure of at least a portion of the weightof an item applied to the hook 60.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus,embodiments of the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A system of influencing a shopper's product selection during ashopper's shopping trip in a retail establishment, comprising: i) Acommunications multi-network positioned about said retail establishment,said communications multi-network comprising at least one meshcommunication network and at least one star communication network, saidmesh communication network and said star communication network operatingwithin said communications multi-network to produce tracking data andproduct selection data; ii) A logic engine operatively connected to saidcommunications multi-network, said logic engine managing saidcommunications multi-network; and iii) A wireless end device positionedinto close proximity to said shopper whereby said shopper uses thewireless end device to scan product data, thereby creating productselection data, said wireless end device being in tracked communicationthrough said at least one mesh communication network of saidcommunications multi-network with said logic engine; Whereby saidwireless end device transmits said product selection data to said logicengine through said communications multi-network, and said logic enginedelivers an influential message through said star communication networkto said wireless end device, said influential message operating toinfluence said shopper's product selection.
 2. The system of claim 1whereby said logic engine examines said product selection data anddirects the transmission of said influential message through saidcommunications multi-network to said wireless end device positioned intoclose proximity to said shopper.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein theform of said influential message is selected from the group consistingof a text message, a video, an electronic photograph, an illustration, ahyperlink, and an audio message.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein saidinfluencing of said shopper's product selection occurs prior to saidshopper's product selection.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein saidinfluencing of said shopper's product selection causes said shopper'sproduct selection to be altered.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein saidinfluencing of said shopper's product selection occurs during saidshopper's product selection.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein saidinfluencing of said shopper's product selection causes said shopper'sproduct selection to be altered.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein saidinfluencing of said shopper's product selection occurs after saidshopper's product selection.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein saidinfluencing of said shopper's product selection causes said shopper'sproduct selection to be altered.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein saidproduct selection data is produced by said shopper scanning a readablemedium positioned onto a product with said wireless end device, saidwireless end device transmitting said product selection data to saidlogic engine.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein said wireless enddevice is operatively connected to a tracking location device; whereinsaid tracking location device is in communication through saidcommunications multi-network with said logic engine.
 12. The system ofclaim 11 wherein said logic engine tracks said tracking location deviceand creates a shopper location data.
 13. The system of claim 12 whereinsaid logic engine organizes each said product selection data with eachsaid shopper location data collected within a predetermined period oftime, from said wireless end device to create a product selectionlocation data.
 14. The system of claim 12 wherein said logic engineorganizes each said product selection data with each said shopperlocation data collected within a predetermined period of time, from saidwireless end device to create a product selection location data andwherein said logic engine collects said product selection location datacreated during a single trip to said retail establishment to create acollective product selection location data; wherein said logic enginestores said collective product selection location data collected foreach said shopper in a shopper's electronic profile.
 15. The system ofclaim 14 wherein said logic engine collects each said collective productselection location data stored in said shopper's electronic profile tocreate a historical progression.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein saidlogic engine uses said historical progression to create said influentialmessage transmitted to said wireless end device at a time selected fromthe group consisting of: prior to said shopper's product selection;during said shopper's product selection; and just after said shopper'sproduct selection.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein said influentialmessage is selected from the group consisting of: a competitive savingopportunity, a co-branding opportunity, a product warning, a productcombination warning, a product review, a response to a historicalprogression, an electronic coupon, price cut alerts, price increasealerts, and budget limit alerts.
 18. The system of claim 13 furthercomprising a two-dimensional X and Y grid juxtaposed on top of a map ofsaid retail establishment and a product location map wherein the logicengine is aware of a majority of the locations of products displayed inthe retail establishment, said locations of products comprising aproduct location data.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein said logicengine, storing all said product selection location data produced by asingle identifiable shopper, compares said product selection locationdata with the product location map.
 20. The system of claim 18 whereinsaid logic engine compares said shopper location data with said productlocation data.